Point of Care Viral Detection System Using Turbo Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization
Devices and methods for automated liquid handling and reagent processing to provide labelling and detection of bacteria and viruses are provided. Labelling reactions are performed rapidly and with essentially no generation of hazardous waste or use of consumables. Highly sensitive detection is performed by measuring fluorescence on a rotating sample plate.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/159,423, filed 10 Mar. 2021, entitled “Point of Care Viral Detection System Using Turbo Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization”, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTThis invention was made with government support under Grant Number NSF 2032501 awarded by the National Science Foundation. The government has certain rights in the invention.
BACKGROUNDIn late 2019 the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease COVID-19, began spreading. The highly contagious coronavirus has rapidly spread, resulting in the inundation of the international patient care resources and the COVID-19 pandemic. Testing of individuals with and without symptoms and of individuals suspected of infection has been a key to preventing spread, but testing has typically required reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) applied to upper or lower respiratory specimens. The rtPCR specimens are usually obtained by nasopharyngeal swabbing, and the rtPCR test results can take days. To lower future case numbers, a more efficient and accurate point of care system is needed to limit transmission of the virus. This will allow people to quarantine faster and stop the spread. Faster testing methods and readily deployable tests are urgently needed for pathogen testing.
Rahmani, et al. provides a review of the current state of the art for sampling and detecting SARS-CoV-2 and other corona viruses in the air (Rahmani, et al., 2020). In this review, sampling techniques are classified into dry and wet collections. The dry collection typically involves filtration, while the wet collection typically involves impinging on or bubbling through a liquid bath. Both sample collection techniques have pros and cons. Filtration is efficient at collecting virus but can be destructive to the virus and requires significant time-consuming post-processing to release the virus from the filter for testing. Wet collection typically results in intact viable viruses in a convenient transport medium; however, the large collection volume and the lower collection efficiency means that high viral loads or long sampling times are needed (Rahmani, et al., 2020). Once a sample is collected, the rtPCR is both sensitive and selective, but it is not rapid and can take hours or days to obtain a reading. Systems and methods are urgently needed for rapid detection of microbial pathogens after sample collection, and there are no systems capable of both rapid accuracy and precision.
SUMMARYThe present technology provides an automated liquid handling processing system for rapidly fixating, washing, and fluorescently labeling microbial pathogens collected on a detection surface of a sample disc. The microbial pathogens can be collected on the detection surface of the disc by a variety of sampling methods. After labeling the microbial pathogens, the processing system can automatically wash the detection surface of any residual labeling solution, and the labeled microbial pathogens are ready for detection. The processing system can continuously process sample discs. Processing of an individual detection surface of a sample disc can be accomplished in minutes.
The technology also provides a fast and accurate detection system for fluorescently labeled microbial pathogens. The sample disc with the labeled microbial pathogens on the detection surface is placed into the detection system. The detection system is capable of scanning an entire sample detection surface or sample collection zone, with accurate results delivered in minutes.
The present technology can be further summarized by the following list of features.
- 1. A device for detection of a fluorescently labeled analyte deposited on a detection surface of a disc the device comprising:
- a rotator operative to continuously rotate the disc;
- a laser operative to irradiate the analyte on the disc with excitation light capable of exciting a fluorophore bound to the analyte, wherein the laser is mounted on a scanning mechanism and irradiates a spot on the detection surface while the disc is scanned radially across the rotating disc;
- a detector coupled to the scanning mechanism and operative to detect fluorescence emission from the fluorophore during the scan; and
- an analysis module that collects fluorescence emission data from the detector and stores, analyzes, and/or transmits the data to provide a measure of the analyte deposited on the disc.
- 2. The device of feature 1, wherein the detector comprises a dichroic long pass filter with a reflection wavelength band in the range from about 350 nm to at least about the excitation wavelength and a transmission wavelength band comprising at least a portion of an emission wavelength range of the fluorophore.
- 3. The device of feature 1 or feature 2, wherein the detector further comprises an autofocus mechanism capable of changing a distance between the detector and the detection surface.
- 4. The device of feature 3, wherein the autofocus mechanism is capable of maintaining the detector at a constant distance from the detection surface during scanning of the disc.
- 5. The device of any of the preceding features, wherein the detector comprises a photomultiplier tube, a charge-coupled device (CCD), a photodiode-array (PDA), or an optical pickup (OPU).
- 6. The device of any of the preceding features, wherein the laser has one or more of the following characteristics: an illumination intensity of about 108 mW/mm2, a spot size in the range from about 150 nm to about 250 nm, and a wavelength of about 405 nm.
- 7. The device of any of the preceding features, wherein the irradiated spot has a diameter of about 250 nm.
- 8. The device of any of the preceding features, wherein the analyte is a molecular component of a pathogenic microorganism.
- 9. The device of feature 8, wherein the pathogenic microorganism is a virus or bacterium that causes a respiratory disease.
- 10. The device of feature 9, wherein the pathogenic microorganism is SARS-CoV-2.
- 11. The device of any of the preceding features, wherein the disc comprises glass and the analyte is fixed onto the detection surface of the disc via evaporation of a solvent.
- 12. The device of any of the preceding features, wherein the fluorophore is coupled to an antibody, an aptamer, or an oligonucleotide.
- 13. A device for fluorescently labeling an analyte disposed on a detection surface of a sample disc, the device comprising:
- a circular disc holder capable of incremental, intermittent rotation around a central axis and having an outer edge an inner edge, and an empty center region, the disc holder comprising a plurality of incrementally spaced sample disc holders disposed between the outer edge and inner edge;
- one or more stationary reagent dispensing stations disposed in the center region near the inner edge of the disc holder;
- one or more cleaning vessels disposed within the center region; and
- a control module;
- wherein each dispensing station comprises two oppositely disposed dispensing/aspirating tubes capable of rotation to access either a sample disc in the disc holder or said one or more cleaning vessels;
- wherein each dispensing station further comprises a rotation and dipping mechanism operative to place one of said dispensing/aspirating tubes above a sample disc for dispensing and/or aspirating a reagent to or from a sample disc or to place one of said dispensing/aspirating tube into said one or more cleaning vessels for cleaning; and
- wherein the control module is configured to, according to a program, incrementally and intermittently rotate the circular disc holder, actuate selected reagent dispensing stations to dispense reagents onto the disc or aspirate reagents from the disc using said dispensing/aspirating tubes, and to deposit the dispensing/aspirating tubes into said one or more cleaning vessels.
- 14. The device of feature 13, wherein rotation of the circular disc holder advances intermittently at intervals of about 15 seconds to about 30 seconds.
- 15. The device of feature 13 or feature 14, wherein a full rotation of the circular disc holder is completed in about 10 minutes to about 15 minutes.
- 16. The device of any of features 13-15, wherein fluorescently labeling the analyte is accomplished with one complete rotation of the circular disc holder.
- 17. The device of any of features 13-16, wherein the device further comprises a temperature control mechanism to maintain reagents and/or sample discs as a desired temperature.
- 18. The device of any of features 13-17, wherein the device is configured for performing fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of nucleic acid-containing samples disposed on said sample disc.
- 19. The device of any of features 13-18, wherein the reagent dispensing stations are configured for dispensing a fluorescently labeled antibody, aptamer, or oligonucleotide, or a buffer, washing solution, permeabilizing agent, or solvent.
- 20. The device of any of features 13-19, wherein the device is configured for detection of an analyte that is a molecular component of a pathogenic microorganism.
- 21. The device of feature 20, wherein the pathogenic microorganism is a virus or bacterium that causes a respiratory disease.
- 22. The device of feature 21, wherein the pathogenic microorganism is SARS-CoV-2.
- 23. The device of any of features 13-22, wherein the one or more cleaning vessels comprise a heating mechanism and/or a cleaning solution.
- 24. A method for detecting a fluorescently labeled analyte deposited on a sample disc, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a sample disc comprising a sample deposited on a sample surface of the disc, wherein the sample is suspected of comprising a fluorescently labeled analyte;
- (b) scanning the sample surface of the disc with a device according to any of features 1-13, whereby fluorescence from the fluorescently labeled analyte is detected.
- 25. The method of feature 24, wherein the entire sample surface is scanned in less than about 5 minutes and a detection accuracy for detecting the fluorescently labeled analyte is at least 95%.
- 26. The method of feature 24 or feature 25, further comprising:
- (a1) labeling an analyte deposited on a sample surface of a sample disc using the device of any of features 13-23.
- 27. The method of any of features 24-26, further comprising:
- (a0) collecting aerosol droplets from exhaled breath of a subject on the sample surface of the sample disc.
- 28. The method of any of features 24-27, wherein the analyte is a molecular component of a pathogenic microorganism.
- 29. The method of feature 28, wherein the pathogenic microorganism is a virus or bacterium that causes a respiratory disease.
- 30. The method of feature 29, wherein the pathogenic microorganism is SARS-CoV-2.
- 31. An analyte detection system comprising the device of any of features 1-12 and the device of any of features 13-23.
As used herein, the terms “microbial pathogen” and “pathogenic microorganism” refer to microorganisms including viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms that can infect any part of the respiratory system.
As used herein, the term “about” refers to a range of within plus or minus 10%, 5%, 1%, or 0.5% of the stated value.
As used herein, “consisting essentially of” allows the inclusion of materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim. Any recitation herein of the term “comprising”, particularly in a description of components of a composition or in a description of elements of a device, can be exchanged with the alternative expression “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of”.
The present technology provides highly accurate, rapid, and low-cost testing for a variety of microbial pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. The technology provides an automated fluid handling system for continuously fixating, washing, and labelling of microbial pathogens disposed on a detection surface of a disc. After the microbial pathogens are labeled or probed on the detection surface, detection of the labeled microbial pathogens could take hours or day, so the technology provides an automated detection system for detecting a labeled microbial pathogen on a detection surface of a disc that can be completed in minutes.
After collection of a sample on a detection surface of a disc, an automated fluid handling system can conduct a Turbo Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (Turbo FISH) assay to label nucleic acid molecules of collected viral particles with fluorescently tagged oligonucleotide probes. A fluorescence detection system then scans the detection surface. A laser excites the fluorophores, and the emitted light is detected and counted. The system is designed with the goal of obtaining results in less than about 15 minutes after the time of detection surface processing in the automated fluid handling system, without the need for complex processes requiring lab training.
Detecting a suspected microbial pathogen from an environment or from a subject typically begins with collecting a sample. For example, detecting a microbial pathogen in an exhaled breath sample on a collection plate requires several steps.
The sample collection can be provided by any suitable method.
A sample can be collected using a swab, then a detection surface of a disc can be contacted with the swap to transfer the sample to the detection surface. Samples can be collected by contacting an environment with a solid detection surface of a disc. Methods of collecting a sample on a solid detection surface of a disc can be any suitable method known in the art.
If a gaseous sample is directed towards a surface, in general, any condensation process can form drops that are pushed away from an impact area of the gas with the surface by a shear force. In
To implement the technology disclosed herein, an optional hydrogel coating can be included on the substrate or the glass. The substrate can optionally include a reflective focus strip to aid focus during detection, or a reflective material can be applied after sample collection. For an accurate detection of labeled microbial pathogens on a detection surface of a disc, a detector should be focused directly on the collection zone and at the detection surface. Detection surfaces utilized in the technology can include one or more reflective partial coatings, strips, or surfaces for autofocusing of a detector.
After a sample suspected of containing a microbial pathogen is collected on a detection surface of a disc, accurate detection of any microbial pathogens of interest (e.g., SARS-CoV-2) on the detection surface requires scanning a statistically significant surface area of the detection surface with high accuracy. To continuously scan a large sample over long periods for a small number of dangerous microbial pathogens with high-sensitivity, high-specificity and in nearly real-time requires that multiple problems are solved simultaneously. For example, these can include: 1) labelling the microbial pathogen efficiently and uniquely; 2) concentrating the signal; 3) scanning large areas at high-resolution (e.g., wide field microscopy); and 4) minimizing consumables and maintenance of the system. To address the first problem of labeling,
Automated liquid handling is required to reduce the time required and to process many sample discs with samples suspected of containing a targeted microorganism. The automated liquid handling disclosed herein can be configured to perform the example method steps depicted in
To illustrate the automated liquid handling, the example circular disc holder 500 shown in
A side view of the rotatable circular disc holder 500 is shown in
The top plate is shown in the transparent view of
A side view shown in
For fluidics of the system, various configurations are suitable. An example schematic of fluidics including six dispense pumps and an aspiration pump is depicted in
The entire system can be incrementally timed to perform the example steps depicted in
The automated fluid handling system can be utilized to carry out the following example method: for initial fixation, about 200 μL can be dispensed, incubate for about 2 minutes, and aspirate residual fluid withing about 5% allowable excess. For first wash, about 200 μL can be dispensed, incubate for about 20 seconds, and aspirate residual fluid withing about 5% allowable excess. For probing or labeling, about 500 μL can be dispensed, incubate for about 3 minutes, and aspirate residual fluid withing about 5% allowable excess. For triple wash, about 200 μL can be dispensed, incubate for about 20 seconds, and aspirate residual fluid withing about 5% allowable excess.
The labeling reagent can include two color, dual-antibody labels specific for the microbial pathogen in question and which produces optimal conditions for binding to the virus. Antibody labelling has high specificity, high affinity, and rapid development post-onset of a pandemic. Some of the first tests for the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic were antigen tests (CDC guidance) and antibody development and design were quickly undertaken by the scientific community at large once the structure of the virus was known (Chen, et al., 2020). Human monoclonal antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were reported as early as April 2020 (Huang, et al., 2020) and their development has continued such that there is now a myriad of them available for general sale and as approved treatment for SARS-CoV-2 (FDA issued Regeneron EUA Nov. 21, 2020). A critical assumption of this approach is that there will always be antibodies or virus binding analogs (e.g., engineered nanobodies) available with high affinity, high-specificity and relatively low-cost in the wake of a pandemic. There is no reason to doubt that this will not be the case going forward given the robust global biotechnology industry. Once labelled microbial pathogens have reached the exit of the system, after they have interacted with the labels under optimal binding conditions, the detection surface of the disc is ready for scanning.
To further illustrate the automated liquid handling system, in
In the example above, after a sample disc is removed from the circular disc holder, any targeted microbial pathogens on the detection surface of the disc will be specifically labeled. Excess labeling solution will be washed off. The surface is ready for detection. An optional drying step after the liquid handling can be included in the system or done outside the system.
For accurately scanning for labeled microorganisms on the detection surface of the disc, scanning an entire collection zone (or scanning zone) shown in
A system for automated detection of a labeled microbial pathogen on a detection surface of a disc is depicted in
The OPU 308 depicted in
The components of the optical subsystem 306 are shown in
A spindle motor from a Blu-ray player is modified to hold a detection surface of a disc for analysis.
To improve the accuracy and speed of virus detection, a machine-learning based analysis can be performed on the fluorescence dataset to robustly identify the existence of coronavirus in the collection zone or scanning zone. The goal of the developed computational algorithm is an optimized search protocol for the presence of virus. Because it is anticipated that most of the detection surface of a disc to be scanned will usually be negative, the objective focuses on how to determine whether a negative reading is present as fast as possible. To meet this goal, one way is to establish an optimization problem of simultaneously minimizing scanning time as well as the uncertainty of the given sample being negative. This can be achieved by developing a machine-learning based search algorithm that will prioritize certain locations to be scanned (Fukami, et al., 2020). Probabilistic neural network approaches can also be incorporated to assess the level of uncertainty of the measure as the scan is performed (Maulik, et al., 2020). Once the level of uncertainty in the diagnosis reaches a set threshold, there is the ability to terminate the scanning operation, achieving significant reduction in the overall time required to reach a diagnosis. The present approach can be tested rigorously and assessed carefully with a large number of test data sets.
The detection technology exhibits an accuracy of detection of at least 95% without the data analysis above. The automated detection system can scan a detection surface area of about 0.8 cm2 in less than five minutes with such accuracy. Instead of traditional widefield microscopy, the system utilizes a Blu-ray laser-based fluorescence detection system that is modified. The Blu-ray laser fluorescence detection system is automated, highly accurate, and much cheaper than traditional widefield microscopy; additionally, the autofocus function keeps the correct z-plane in focus at all times. The system uses a different diagnostic method than conventional rt-qPCR. In theory Turbo FISH can detect a single RNA molecule and has the potential to be much more sensitive than a PCR detection method. Automating the liquid handling and the detection system makes it viable for widespread diagnostic use.
The detection system and the automated liquid handling system disclosed herein can be deployed without involving a trained lab technician. Point of care (POC) settings can be enabled to test for a variety of microbial pathogens.
Almost any sampling technique that can collect a sample on a detection surface of a disc can be utilized. Examples of TurboFISH are found in U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2016/0258005 A1.
The systems disclosed herein have been designed to meet the need for rapid, inexpensive point-of-care testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The systems can be adapted to detect any respiratory virus by using different probes to conjugate to the viral RNA. The laser scanning can be beneficial in other fluorescence microscopy applications, given its accuracy and autofocus function.
EXAMPLES Example 1: Fluid Processing DeviceTo perform a microbial pathogen detection assay in a POC setting, a fully automated processing system was provided to accurately dispense, incubate, and aspirate needed reagents onto collected patient samples to prepare them for fluorescence detection by Turbo FISH or by fluorescently tagged antibodies. An exemplary device is shown in
The samples move through the device in a serialized manner to decrease processing time. The device employs a circular disc holder that brings samples sequentially to processing stations where they receive reagents delivered with peristaltic pumps and reusable syringe tips. The processing stations are spaced to allow for adequate incubation time at each step, while aiming to decrease total process time per sample. A vigorous decontamination process of the dispensing/aspirating tubes can be performed with heated elements or vessels to prevent cross contamination and false positive results. Each dispensing/aspirating tube can be used for an aspiration while the opposing dispensing/aspirating tube is heated for decontamination of microbial pathogens. The configuration did not require consumable pipette tips for processing of the sample detection surfaces of multiple discs.
Example 2: Automated Detection DeviceOPU technology, typically found within Blu-ray DVD players, was utilized. OPU, in combination with further optical modifications and linear and spindle motor assemblies, has the potential to produce highly accurate test results within two minutes.
Verification tests will account for FDA Limit of Detection recommendations and accuracy requirements for COVID-19 tests (U.S. Food & Drug Administration, 2020a), as well as industry standards such as I.S.O. 15193:2009, which specifies requirements for the content of a reference measurement procedure for in vitro diagnostic devices. For this validation, the sample models with conjugated quantum dots will be run through the TurboFISH detection device to demonstrate a Blu-ray OPU diagnostic system.
First, each test sample disc will be run multiple times at a low speed to show that the system can detect the same patterns of Qdots and demonstrate the repeatability of results. Then, each sample disc will be subjected to runs at increasing speeds to determine the number of photons collected at each speed and determine the maximum speed at which fluorescence can still be detected by the system. Since the PMT can theoretically detect as little as one photon, there are not anticipated issues in achieving a target rotational speed of 4000 RPM to about 5000 PRM.
Since the amount of Qdots on the plate is known, it can be predicted from the results of the validation what would be expected for a real exhaled breath sample. This validation data and statistical data on the distribution and quantity of exhaled viral particles collected on the plate can be used to determine the kind of results the system will output as a positive sample is scanned. Scanning a certain amount of area and finding these results would indicate a positive test, without having to scan the entire sample if an immediate positive is found. Implementing these statistical calculations in a future iteration of the scanning programs will decrease the run time.
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Claims
1. A device for detection of a fluorescently labeled analyte deposited on a detection surface of a disc the device comprising:
- a rotator operative to continuously rotate the disc;
- a laser operative to irradiate the analyte on the disc with excitation light capable of exciting a fluorophore bound to the analyte, wherein the laser is mounted on a scanning mechanism and irradiates a spot on the detection surface while the disc is scanned radially across the rotating disc;
- a detector coupled to the scanning mechanism and operative to detect fluorescence emission from the fluorophore during the scan; and
- an analysis module that collects fluorescence emission data from the detector and stores, analyzes, and/or transmits the data to provide a measure of the analyte deposited on the disc.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a dichroic long pass filter with a reflection wavelength band in the range from about 350 nm to at least about the excitation wavelength and a transmission wavelength band comprising at least a portion of an emission wavelength range of the fluorophore.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the detector further comprises an autofocus mechanism capable of changing a distance between the detector and the detection surface.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the autofocus mechanism is capable of maintaining the detector at a constant distance from the detection surface during scanning of the disc.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the laser has one or more of the following characteristics: an illumination intensity of about 108 mW/mm2, a spot size in the range from about 150 nm to about 250 nm, and a wavelength of about 405 nm.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the analyte is a molecular component of a pathogenic microorganism.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the pathogenic microorganism is a virus or bacterium that causes a respiratory disease.
8. A device for fluorescently labeling an analyte disposed on a detection surface of a sample disc, the device comprising:
- a circular disc holder capable of incremental, intermittent rotation around a central axis and having an outer edge an inner edge, and an empty center region, the disc holder comprising a plurality of incrementally spaced sample disc holders disposed between the outer edge and inner edge;
- one or more stationary reagent dispensing stations disposed in the center region near the inner edge of the disc holder;
- one or more cleaning vessels disposed within the center region; and
- a control module;
- wherein each dispensing station comprises two oppositely disposed dispensing/aspirating tubes capable of rotation to access either a sample disc in the disc holder or said one or more cleaning vessels;
- wherein each dispensing station further comprises a rotation and dipping mechanism operative to place one of said dispensing/aspirating tubes above a sample disc for dispensing and/or aspirating a reagent to or from a sample disc or to place one of said dispensing/aspirating tube into said one or more cleaning vessels for cleaning; and
- wherein the control module is configured to, according to a program, incrementally and intermittently rotate the circular disc holder, actuate selected reagent dispensing stations to dispense reagents onto the disc or aspirate reagents from the disc using said dispensing/aspirating tubes, and to deposit the dispensing/aspirating tubes into said one or more cleaning vessels.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein rotation of the circular disc holder advances intermittently at intervals of about 15 seconds to about 30 seconds.
10. The device of claim 8, wherein a full rotation of the circular disc holder is completed in about 10 minutes to about 15 minutes.
11. The device of claim 8, wherein fluorescently labeling the analyte is accomplished with one complete rotation of the circular disc holder.
12. The device of claim 8, wherein the device is configured for performing fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of nucleic acid-containing samples disposed on said sample disc.
13. The device of claim 8, wherein the device is configured for detection of an analyte that is a molecular component of a pathogenic microorganism.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the pathogenic microorganism is a virus or bacterium that causes a respiratory disease.
15. A method for detecting a fluorescently labeled analyte deposited on a sample disc, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a sample disc comprising a sample deposited on a sample surface of the disc, wherein the sample is suspected of comprising a fluorescently labeled analyte;
- (b) scanning the sample surface of the disc with a device according to claim 1, whereby fluorescence from the fluorescently labeled analyte is detected.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
- (a1) labeling an analyte deposited on a sample surface of a sample disc.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
- (a0) collecting aerosol droplets from exhaled breath of a subject on the sample surface of the sample disc.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the analyte is a molecular component of a pathogenic microorganism.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the pathogenic microorganism is a virus or bacterium that causes a respiratory disease.
20. An analyte detection system comprising
- (i) a device for detection of a fluorescently labeled analyte deposited on a detection surface of a disc the device comprising:
- a rotator operative to continuously rotate the disc;
- a laser operative to irradiate the analyte on the disc with excitation light capable of exciting a fluorophore bound to the analyte, wherein the laser is mounted on a scanning mechanism and irradiates a spot on the detection surface while the disc is scanned radially across the rotating disc;
- a detector coupled to the scanning mechanism and operative to detect fluorescence emission from the fluorophore during the scan; and
- an analysis module that collects fluorescence emission data from the detector and stores, analyzes, and/or transmits the data to provide a measure of the analyte deposited on the disc; and
- (ii) a device for fluorescently labeling an analyte disposed on a detection surface of a sample disc, the device comprising:
- a circular disc holder capable of incremental, intermittent rotation around a central axis and having an outer edge an inner edge, and an empty center region, the disc holder comprising a plurality of incrementally spaced sample disc holders disposed between the outer edge and inner edge;
- one or more stationary reagent dispensing stations disposed in the center region near the inner edge of the disc holder;
- one or more cleaning vessels disposed within the center region; and
- a control module;
- wherein each dispensing station comprises two oppositely disposed dispensing/aspirating tubes capable of rotation to access either a sample disc in the disc holder or said one or more cleaning vessels;
- wherein each dispensing station further comprises a rotation and dipping mechanism operative to place one of said dispensing/aspirating tubes above a sample disc for dispensing and/or aspirating a reagent to or from a sample disc or to place one of said dispensing/aspirating tube into said one or more cleaning vessels for cleaning; and wherein the control module is configured to, according to a program, incrementally and intermittently rotate the circular disc holder, actuate selected reagent dispensing stations to dispense reagents onto the disc or aspirate reagents from the disc using said dispensing/aspirating tubes, and to deposit the dispensing/aspirating tubes into said one or more cleaning vessels.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 10, 2022
Publication Date: Sep 15, 2022
Inventors: Brenna SINGER (Gansevoort, NY), Bridget BERGSTROM (Maple Grove, MN), Sarah M. DUNBAR (Brookhaven, NY), Francheska TORRES (Charlton, MA), Alana PERSING (Allston, MA), Kelsey M. DUPONT (Revere, MA), Timothy LANNIN (Hopkinton, MA), Jeffrey RUBERTI (Lexington, MA)
Application Number: 17/692,078